4 minute read
Feature: The art of sportsmanship
FEATURE
The art of sportsmanship
The dictionary defines sportsmanship as the fair and generous behaviour or treatment of others, but interpretations can differ, writes JAMIE HOCKING.
My take on sportsmanship is being respected as an athlete who has integrity and ethical values. Equestrians who are consistent and fair in all their dealings with horses, other competitors, supporters and organisers are the ones I respect and admire the most.
Respect is different from being liked. Being well-liked is random and has little to do with effort. Respect has to be earned and comes from consistently putting effort into improving your behaviour, values and treatment of others, even when nobody is watching. manship. Riders who miss out on learning positive coping mechanisms often tend to blame the horse or those around them, or they shut others out as they obsess on their own perceived failings. A crying, devastated, sulky or angry child (or adult) instantly spoils a great day out! Worse, they risk feeling isolated and ashamed, or sense that success is less sweet because other people are likely remembering their poor behaviour when things weren’t going well.
So who can teach these sportsmanship skills? As a coach myself, I believe it’s important for parents, coaches and mentors to talk about feelings when a young rider loses a placing, gets scared, falls off, gets bitten, forgets the course, or stuffs up somehow. Just don't promise that it will go better next time, because it might not.
Look for and commend every display of team spirit, loyalty, courtesy, kindness, and horsemanship. My parents always made me say a thank you to organisers before heading home. And congratulate the winner – it’s not only good sportsmanship, friendships begin with these sorts of gestures.
Role models have always been my best teachers. For me, being lectured tends to go in one ear and out the other. The real influencers were the international male vaulters I admired most, and not because they won competitions. My first time overseas I relentlessly tailed Gero Meyer, a German vaulting superstar, copying everything he did, on or off the horse. He was worthy of my devotion, an icon of sportsmanship and someone who always took time to talk with me as I grew up.
Friendliness is another key to being seen as engaged and a good sportsperson, plus it's a great way to gather more role models – and you can never have too many of those. American legend and gold medalist Devon Maitozo pulled me aside at one of my first overseas competitions and said: “I don't care how you go, win or bomb out. By the final day of the competition, I want the names of three vaulters you've introduced yourself to.” I was petrified, thinking about approaching older, cooler European vaulters but I didn't want to disappoint Devon. Long story short, I gained three new buddies from three different countries, including a Hungarian guy with no shared language.
I quickly clicked to the value of the strategy and my network grew, giving me great long-term friendships, access to horses, coaches, training facilities in other countries, free survival tips, places to stay, new languages, fantastic adventures, a sense of belonging, and some great new role models.
Being polite is also a critical component of sportsmanship. Every kid is tonguetied and shy, but being able to say 'hello, nice to meet you' or 'thank
you' with a handshake (as taught by my parents) helped me start building my sportsmanship skills. Shyness can translate to bad manners, even if unintended, so kids need to find ways to get over it. Polite phrases helped me look more confident than I was and opened doors to social gatherings with people I respected, including time with my super-heroes.
Another opportunity for developing good sportsmanship is speaking in front of a group. Saying a few words at awards or presentations is a chance to demonstrate gratitude and graciousness as an athlete. I learned basic speaking at my school, and it was expected at our vaulting club. I also practiced on family or friends. Simple lines like 'thanks for coming to my party', gets you used to being polite and gracious in front of others. One day, a microphone will be put in your hand with the order to speak as cameras focus on you from across a big stadium – and yep, it happened to me. With a few go-to basics, you can avoid passing out from fear!
As a 25-year-old, I'm just starting to realise the extent of my debt to those who helped me find my own version of sportsmanship, either by setting an example or by picking me up after I did things the hard way. I'm still a work in progress although I've had plenty of practice dealing with big disappointments. And it’s all worth it when you win that coveted place without trading off who you aspire to be as a sportsperson.
Jamie Hocking is an internationally successful equestrian vaulter. You can find him on Facebook at J H Vaulting or catch up with him on Instagram james.hocking96.
